You Must Exercise
We have news for all you couch potatoes. Get moving. That's right. Exercising isn't just for people who need to lose weight. Even if you are as skinny as a stick, you still need to exercise. Of course it is important to maintain a healthy body weight, but the benefit of exercise is not restricted to weight loss alone. In point of fact, the most important function of exercising is in training the human body to use energy efficiently. If running makes you tired, you need to run more. Over time, exercising consistently should invigorate you, not wipe you out. Although it may seem that exercising depletes energy, in reality it strengthens our bodies, tones our muscles, and allows us to go longer, go further, push harder and live happier than we would if we let our muscles atrophy in our computer chairs day in and day out. The muscle that benefits the most from exercise is the most important muscle in the body: the heart.
Exercising is essential for maintaining a healthy heart, which in turn lowers cholesterol and reduces high blood pressure. High blood pressure and cholesterol can affect people who are thin as well as people who are overweight. Making your blood pump by running, dancing, or learning to swing on the flying trapeze will force your heart to work harder and pump blood faster. Like any muscle, the heart builds strength by being worked. By exercising over time, even if it's just 20 minutes a day, the heart muscle will grow strong enough increase blood flow in the circulatory system, which results in lower blood pressure and a healthier heart.
Exercising will also improve your attitude. Stronger muscles and a more fluid circulatory system will increase energy and enable the human body to do more without feeling tired. When we have more energy, we think better, feel healthier, and react more amiably to other problems that threaten happiness. Exercising will lift your spirits, which in return will enable you to be even more positive about taking care of yourself.
So how do you get exercising? It often isn't enough just to say you will start exercising. Most people need a motivator to get them started, or sometimes just a place to go. In order to start maximizing your body's physical potential, look into what kind of exercise interests you as an individual. If you like weight lifting, join a gym. Memberships to such athletic centers as 24 Hour Fitness or Gold's Gym provide facilities for weight lifting, cardiovascular exercise, and swimming pools. If self-monitored exercise doesn't excite you, consider taking a class that gets you up a moving. Classes that are good for the body can be everything from Yoga or Pilates to water aerobics or kick boxing. If you prefer to exercise in the comfort of your own home, consider an exercise machine, an aerobic workout tape, or just an old fashioned pair of running shoes. If you just don't think you can get up the gumption to exercise on your own, then sign up for a gym membership or class with a friend, relative, or co-worker.
Whatever your preference, if you've started to notice that your chair, couch, or bed is developing an impression of your tush, it's time to take a walk around the block. For more about how regular exercise can improve your life, see the attached articles and look over the resources for additional information.
Additional Resources
Hire an online personal trainer and develop a personalized fitness program at Global Fitness.
Read about Fitness Fundamentals from hop techno.
Information about exercise from the Family Doctor.
Seven benefits of regular physical activity from the Mayo Clinic.
Promise 21 day Day Challenge Calendar gives exercise tips sponsored by Promise Activ.
View a fitness program for seniors called the Silver Sneakers.
Fitness and exercise guide for children from Keep Kids Healthy.
Article from Health and Body fitness about the dangers of trans fat and how exercising can help.
Exercise guidelines for people with Type 2 Diabetes from WebMd.
Visit the President's Challenge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging fitness and daily activity in Americans.
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